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` FURNAGB- No.41s,927. l y Patentedot. 29.1889.

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' 'FURNAGE- No. 4143.927'. Patented 001;. 29, 1839,

- UNITED STATES PATENT GEEICE.

vineu.V W. BLANCHARD, or NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR To JOSEPH A.

DAVIS, or SAME PLACE.

FURNACEQl SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent-. No. 413,927, dated October 29, 1889.

Application led April 17, 1889.

To all whom it may concern: l

Be it known that I, VIRGIL W. BLANCHARD,

. of New York, in the county and State of New Vto the accompanying drawings, and to the let-v ters and figures `of reference marked there-` on, which form part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a centralvertical section through my improved furnace View of one of the fire-bricks used in constructing the gas-mixing chambers therein, Fig. 3 is a detail. plan View of the mixingchambers. Figa is a detail sectional view of the feeding device. Big5 is atransverse ver` tical section on line Fig.' l.

This `invention is an improved furnace for the production of intense heat; and its objects are'to so construct the furnace that all the combustible gases and elements contained in the fuel and in the air supplied to the furnace-Such as hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, &c..

VWill be thoroughly consumed, together With the particles disassociated f-rjornv the fueland usually vcarried off intothe 'atmosphere and lost, so that there is no waste of fuel whatever, and the highest attainable f ,degree of heat produced with a very'slight quantity of fuel.

Another object of the invention is to provide an auxiliaryfire-chambeig'whereby thefurnace fire may be kindled properly Without the aid of an auxiliary engine or artificial draft. I also provide means for feeding the fuel into the furnace fire-chamber proper' to pass, and also in the novel arrangement of airpassages and iues, whereby the interior of the furnace just above the grate isv used as.

an air-heater, and whereby the airis supplied tothe several chambers into which the gases pass, and in certain other novel details of construction and arrangements of parts herein- Fig. 2 is a perspective Serial No. 307,614. (No model.)

after'set forth, all of which will be clearly understood from the following description and claims.

Reference being had to the accompanying drawings by letters, A represents the furnace, preferably rectangular in cross-section, the side walls of which are composed of non-heatconducting materials, preferably having an inner wall of tire-brick or refractory material A', exterior to which is a layer of porous firebrick A2,then a layer `of asbestus paper or fiber A3, and then an exterior metal shell or casing A5. Between the asbestus and the other portions of the wall is left an air-space A4. By this construction the intense heat developed in the furnace, does not injure the wall thereof, and very little heat is lost by radiation. The bottom of the furnace is also lined interiorly with the fire-brick, as is also the top, which latter is, and the bottom may be, constructed like the side walls.

The lower part of the furnace is divided centrally by a partition B into two chambers 5 and 6, which communicate near their top through a horizontal Hue B in partition B,

near the top thereof, which is closed by arechamber 6, as shown in Fig. 1, leaving anarrow vertical flue C at the front of the furnace for the escape of gases from chamber 5.

Upon said roof is arranged a series of rows of bricks C2, so laid as to form a .tortuous or zigzag passage D for the passage of an air-current which enters the opening (Fin the wall of the furnace. Upon bricks C2 is laid a heavy fire-brick flooring C4, which closes the top side of the tortuous air-passage.

C5 designates an imperforate wall rising from the inner edge of roof C above chamber G, and about half-way to the top of the furnace, and hereinafter referred to.

At the front of the furnace and supported on roof C rises a vertical fire-brick partition D, which is built up of chambered fire-bricks E and F. Bricks E, which compose about -onehalf the partition in height, .are formed `with a central airpassage E and with small IOO lateral jet-passages E2. The passages E in the lowermost bricks communicate through enlarged openings with the air-passage D', as indicated.

The bricks F are of peculiar construction, (shown clearly in Fig. 2,) each having a lateral channel F' in its upper face near its front edge, which opens by a short passage F2 on said edge, and directly opposite said passage F2 is formed a depression F4, which forms a cinder-trap, and in rear of said trap is a vertical opening F5 through the brick, communicating by a horizontal perforation F6 with tlap F4.

F2 are side channels or depressions in the sides of the bricks, extending from channel F' to the rear thereof.

The bricks are formed with dovetail grooves and tongues F8 and F9, as shown,so that they can be laid in interlocking` rows, superimposed one upon the other. Then so laid, as shown in Figs. l and 3, the passages F2, F', and F3 form tortuous broken zigzag channels, through which the heated gases must pass in passing from a front rising fine D2, communicating with ilue C', to a rear diving flue D3 on opposite sides of partition D, as shown clearly in Fig. l.

The uppermost brick E is provided with a rearward extension E6, having an angular channel therein communicating with channel E' and with the openings F5 of the bricks F superimposed thereon, as clearly shown in Fig. 1, by which the soot-traps in the bricks F are provided with air-j ets communicating with the air-passages D'.

G G designate fire-brick supports resting on iiooring O4, about centrally between wall C' and partition D, and upon these supports is built an imperforate fire-brick wall G', which is opposite the bricks F and the upper layers of bricks E, and to the inside of wall G', and resting upon supports G and the wall C5, are a vertical series of fire-brick mixing-chambers H, which extend nearly to the top of the furnace, and on the opposite side of wall C5 or rear of the furnace is another vertical series of mixing-chambers H' similar to chambers I-I, but extending down to and communicating with chamber 6, being supported upon an abutment G2 of the furnace-wall and the projecting edge of roof C, as clearly shown in Fig. l. The two series of mixing-chambers are separated, however, so that the gases must rise through chambers II and descend through ehalnbers II'. These chambers H II' are made up of firebricks J K, laid alternately, the bricks J having a central passage J and .depressions J2 on each side thereof, which depressions are traps to catch and hold cinders and other particles carried off with the products of combustion until consumed. The bricks K have a bottom longitudinal passage K' and side vertical passages K2 K2 and top longitudinal passages K3 and tra-ps K4 K4, as shown. If properly laid, the products of combustion pass through the central openin g in brick J, thence diverge outwardly to pass inward to rise through the central opening in the superimposed brick J, and so on throughout the entire series, being thereby alternately compressed and expanded in passing through the passages in the alternate bricks. These bricks are preferably laid with interlocking joints, as indicated in the drawings, to prevent leakage or passage of gases, except through the described openings therein.

Above the mixing-chambers Il II' is a firebrick arch or dome L, as shown, which may be centrally supported by a pillar L', this arch forming a chamber 7 above said mixingchambers closed at the top.

Between. the bottom of mixing-chambers ll and the roof C4 is a chamber 8, in the bottom of which, adjoining wall C5, is a depression or trap M, which communicates, through perforations M' in the {ire-brick, with the airsupply to passage D', as is evident.

The tops of ilues D2 D3 are closed by a heavy fire-brick arch, as shown, through which is or may be a vertical passage D4, communieating with an air-supply pipe a, and with a pressure-valve b, if desired, by which the pressure in the furnace can be regulated.

The chamber 6 has a suitable outlet N, which may connect with a steam-boiler or other casing wherein the heat generated in the furnace can be utilized. In chamber 6 is a grate O, which is preferably made of perforated fire-brick; and in chamber 5 is a grate O', the full area of which may be varied by means of fire-bricks N', which are placed thereon at the sides, as shown in Fig. 1. Below said grate is an air-inlet O3.

P designates a hopper secured to the front wall of the furnace and communicating. through an inclined chute P', with the top of chamber 5, said chute being lined interiorly with fire-brick to prevent radiation or loss of heat. In said hopper is journaled horizontally a semi-cylindrical bucket P2, which fits closelyin the hopper and closes the mouth of the iiue, as indicated in the drawings.

P3 designates a tightly-closing cover for the hopper, which should be capable of being closed gas-tight.

P5 designates an arm attached to the end of the bucket and exterior to the hopper, by which the bucket can be turned.

Q designates a fire-brick valve placed in the throat of chute P', near the lower end thereof, and having a beveled lower edge adapted to make a close joint with the side and bottom of the chute and prevent the heating of the bucket unduly by the gases rising from the combustion-chamber 5. The lower end of the chute has a projecting portion PG, designed to more evenly distribute the fuel upon the grate below. The stem of valve Q is provided with a crank-arm Q', to which is connected one end of a rod Q2, the other end of said rod engaging a slot p3 in arm P5 in such manner that when the bucket is turned,

IOO

IIO

the valve is closed.

so as to empty its contents into the chute, v'alve Q is opened, as'indicated in dotted' lines, Fig. l, and 4when the'V bucket 'is turned "back In feeding fuelthe cover P2 is raised and fuel placed in the bucket. The cover is then lowered 'and closed, and when desired the 'bucket is turned, as indicated in Fig. 4, its

contents falling into chute P ,and descending therethrough onto the grate in chamber 5. In some'instances fuel might be supplied through the opening in theitop of liuc D2 instead of having chute P. with an air-pipe Q4, if desired, communicating with an air-forcing engine, by which the bucket is' kept from'injurious'heating and the gases forced back into the furnace.

c designates aVfuel-feeding pipe entering opening AO3 andpro'vi'ded with a worm-con-y veyer and hopper, as indicated, byrwhich pulverized fuel can be forced intothe furnace. 'L

CZ is an air-blastpipe communicating with pipe c, and connected with an air-forcing engine and heater, preferably. n

Ve is a branch from pipe d, leading into opening C3, the said pipes being suitably valved, as shown, so that the amount of air passed into opening C2 or O3 can be regulated. Thepipe a also connects with pipe d and is prop-y erly valved.

'f designates a pipe entering pipe c and connecting with'a gas-trap in the chimney or uptake of the furnace andjwith a suitable en-` gine, (not shown in the drawings,) by which, if desired, part of the gases rising in the uptake may be drawn back and forced into the fur-v nace. g is a branch ofsaid pipe leading into the upper end of the'furnace, as indi` cated.A `Both of said branches are properly valved.

A re is kindled on the grate in chamberl 5 and a wood fire in chamber 6, the damper B being opened; so that there is a direct draft to the outlet N. The flre'in chamber 6l causes a suificient -draft 'to kindle the coal onthe gratel in chamber 5,` and when this has become sufficiently heated damper AB carbonic acid; butj as the lattery ascendsl is closed and aY forced draftof heated air is introduced through 'openings' O3 and C3.

The air is admitted from pipe d into open-v through the bedjof fuel (which should be several inches in depth) it'becomes carbonized backinto carbonic oxide.l This gas, to?V gether with the hydrogen evolved in the combustion of the fuel,r'ises in combination with The chute P is providedl -an ascending currentof vaporized carbon intoliue D2. Aportion of these gases will, however,'be consumed bythe oxygen derived `from the air admitted through the bricks E as it rises in iiue D2. The gases at the top ofV said flue, as the" pressure is increased, are forced into and through the channels in bricks F, whereinv they are Acommingled and mixed, and any solid particles of carbon are caught in traps F4 and retained until consumed or volatilized by the oxygen of the jets of heated air issuing through perforations F6. From these bricks F they enter the descending flue D2, being therein subjected to jets of air frpm the channels in bricks E, and from flue D3 they enter chamber 8, where, under the forced draft, any solid 'particles capable of combustion still remain- `tuous course they are compelled to pursue materially aids in mingling, triturating, and combining the' gases and insuring their com plete oxidation, and the numerous traps in the chambers II Il rreceive and retain solid particles that they may be consumed or volatilized, andv should there be any particles carried down through the chambers bythe flerceness of the draft they descend upon the grate' in` chamber '6, where they remain until theyA are volatilized or consumed. It would be almost impossibleto create a draft through the mixing-chambers H sufficientto drive the light hydrogen gas therethrough; hence this gasV is held and retained by its specific gravity inthe upper portion of the furnace until the oxygen contained in the air jetted therein can oxidize the same, thereby producing the most intense heat attainable. The same is tr-ue in less degree of the carbonic oxide. Byl means of valved pipe a fresh air can be supplied to the hydrogen in the top of the furnace without passing it through the passage ,D f, and by means of pipe g, I can introducea -portion of the gases therein, whereby the heat of the furnace will be tempered and re- IOO IIO

duced. Thelower portion of the fuel on theL Y grate in chamber 5 `is kept comparatively cool by the `incoming air and gases; but the upper portionthereof is raised to an intense incandescent heat, sufficient to permit the gases admitted below the grateto pass through the fuel land be recarbonized without cooling the fire below aV desirable intensity, The charnber 5 is' partly supplied with air from .the

jets in bricks E, which air, in consequence of its greater specific gravity, passes down the side of partition D and into the fuel-chamber 5 above the grate, as indicated by the arrows 2 in Fig. l, the air supplying oxygen to support the combustion on the grate. ABy this construction I utilize every available element to generate the heat, and utilize the carbonicacid gas as a vehicle for picking up additional atoms of carbon from the fuel and conveying them to the mixing-chambers, where they are oxidized, thus saving the fuel by preventing oxidation thereof by contact with a large supply of air and only permitting sufficient air to contact with the fuel on the grate to support the combustion necessary to enable the carbonio-acid gases to be put therethrough. I am also able to equalize and regulate the temperature of the furnace by regulating the quantity of air or gas admitted thereto and the points of such admission, as described.

The air-blast from pipe c can be turned on sufficiently strong at intervals to blow the pulverized fuel and ashes into the furnace and up through opening h onto the bed of fuel in chamber 5.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. In a furnace, the combination of the [irechamber, a compartment in the furnace above the chamber, a partition dividing the said compartment into an ascending and a descending iiue, said ascending Hue communicating with the nre-chamber, and the descending flue communicating with the outlet-passages, the said partition having in its lower portion a Vertical air-passage with a series of lateral jet-openings leading therefrom, and in its upper portion a series of independent transverse mixing-channels leading from one flue to the other, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. In a furnace, the, combination of the ascending flue communicating with the irechamber, the descending flue, the partition between said flue having air-passages and j et openings, and the ascending series of mixingchambers communicating with the descending iiue, and the descending series of mixingchambers communicating with the ascending series and with the outlet, substantially as described.

The combination, in a furnace, of a primary fire-chamber communicating with a series of fines, and mixing-chambers in the upper part of the furnace communicating with the fines and with an outlet, a secondary fire-chamber communicating with said outlet, and a damper between said fire-chambers, as and for the purpose specified.

4. The combination of the primary iirechamber, the ascending and descending iiues above the same separated by a partition having air-passages and jet-openings, substantially as described, the secondary fire-chamber, and a series of ascending and descending mixing-chambers communicating with said secondary chamber and with said descending fine, substantially as described.

5. In'a furnace, the combination of a firechamber, the roof above the same, the ascending flue communicating with the fire-chamber, and descending ue above said roof separated from the ascending flue by an intermediate partition having air-passages and jetfopenings, substantially as described, with the tortuous air-channel in said roof communicating with the air-passage in said partition and the air-supply thereto, all substantially as set forth.

6. In a furnace, the combination of an ascending fiue communicating with the iirechamber' and a descending iue, with a partition between said tlues, the lower portion'of which has a central ,air-passa ge and lateral jet-openings leading therefrom, and its upper `portion having vertical air-passages connecting with said central air-passage, and also having transverse gas channels or passages communicating with the ascending and descending flues, substantially as and for the purpose described.

7. The combination, in a furnace, of a firechamber having a closed roof in which is a tortuous air-heating passage, a pair of vertical flues above said passage communicating, respectively, with the fire-chamber and with passages leading to the outlet, and apartition separating said lues having air-passages communicating with the said tortuous air-heating passage, jet-openings, substantially as described, a series of mixing-chambers communicating with th lower end of the inner vertical iiue, and a series of mixing-chambers communicating at top with the aforesaid chambers and at bottom with an outlet, said chambers having soot-traps, substantially as described.

8. In a furnace, the combination of the firechamber, the ascending and descending fines, closed at top and separated by a partition having air-passages, perforations, and channels, substantially as described, and a safetyvalve connected to the top of one of said fiues for regulating the pressure of gases therein, substantially as and foi-,the purpose described.

9. The combination of the primary firechamber, the ascending flue above the same communicating therewith, the descending flue, and the partition between said flues, channeled and perforated for the passage of air and gases, and a gas-supply pipe leading from the outlet or uptake of the furnace and communicating with one of said fines, substantially as and for the purpose described.

l0. The combination of the fire-chamber, the ascending flue communicating therewith, and the descending iiue above said chamber, separated from the ascending iiue by a partition channeled and perforated for the passage of air and gases, substantially as described, the tortuous air-passage formed in IOO the roof of said lire-chamber and communicating With the air-channels in said partition,

"the air-supply pipes communicating with saidv passage and ash-pit, and the gas-supplying pipes, all substantially as set forth.

l1. The combination ofrthe lire-chamber, the Vertical uefcommunicating therewith, the descending flue separated from said vertical flue by'a partition having passages, channels, and soot traps," substantially as described, and the Atortucus channel in the roof i of the fire-chambery communicating with the air-passages and with av supply for heating the air supplied to the passages in said par#` tition, substantially as set forth. l2. The combination of the fuel-chamber, the vertical ascending iiue communicating v with the fire-chamber, the descending flue, the partition between said lues having air-pas,- sages, channels, and jet-openings, substantially as described, and the air-heating chan nel in the roof of the fire-chamber communieating with an air-supply and. with ,the passagesin said partitiomthe air-supply pipe a c, and'gas-supplying pipes f g, all substantially as and .for thepurpose set forth. d 13. The combination of the furnace having a. primary lire-chamber 5, an auxiliary fire-chamber 6, a closed roof formed with an interior air-heating channel D over chamber 5, the Vertical ascending flue communieating with chamber 5, andthe descending lue, and the Vertical partition separating said lines having air-passages and perfora- .tions, substantially as described, With the se- 

